Two Turkey Day games continue longtime tradition

It has been a tradition that goes back longer than anybody who still works at the two schools can even remember.

Steve Bakalian and his Wood-Ridge teammates are looking for an upset on Thanksgiving against Hasbrouck Heights.

Thanksgiving day has always been a Hasbrouck Heights vs. Wood-Ridge football game at 10:30 a.m. at the field on Route 17 or at Wood-Ridge High School off of Hackensack Avenue.

Hasbrouck Heights Athletic Director John Tessaro, who has been with the district for almost 40 years, believes that the annual game is at least 60 years old.

The game is just one of two on Thanksgiving in the Community News area (Wallington being the other) as the last couple of decades has seen schools not playing the traditional games because of schedule commitments.

The game has been dominated by the Aviators over the years. Tessaro remembers Wood-Ridge winning a couple of times in the mid-1980s. He added that he expected a very competitive game this season especially since Wood-Ridge has played very well and came close to garnering a state playoff bid. The Blue Devils clinched at least a .500 record this season and are 5-4 heading into the Thanksgiving game at Heights. The Aviators are 8-1 heading into last Friday's playoff game at home against Butler (after press deadline).

Wood-Ridge Athletic Director Tom Valanzolo said his school still wants to play a Thanksgiving game.

"I think it is a great way for former students and players to come back for the game and socialize," he said.

Wood-Ridge has been known for its tradition. The Wood-Ridge holiday basketball tournament, now the Herb Cohen Tournament, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this season with Wallington, Lodi, Saddle Brook and Wood-Ridge boys basketball teams playing.

While not having the history of Hasbrouck Heights and Wood-Ridge, the Wallington vs. St. Mary game on Thanksgiving has become a very entertaining and competitive contest the last few years as the Panthers program has improved. St. Mary head football coach Michael Sheridan in the last few years has called for the game to end because it has become more of a hindrance since many times the state finals are a week before the game.

Thanksgiving, 10:30 a.m.

Wood-Ridge at Hasbrouck Heights

This longtime traditional matchup has been the dominated by Heights. The game should be closer than last season's 48-6 victory by the Aviators at Wood-Ridge. The Blue Devils are a much improved team from last season's winless squad.

Wood-Ridge has some nice playmakers in running back Steve Bakalian and quarterback Tom Lacey. In addition, the Blue Devils have had a couple of weeks to prepare for Heights. The Aviators played Butler last Friday and might be prepping for a sectional title. Heights though has rebounded from a tough loss to Emerson in the last regular season game and might be on a roll. Aviators' running back John Cambridge leads the team's offensive attack. On defense Heights is led by junior Rocco Mangieri.

Wallington at St. Mary, Tryon Field

This might be the year that Wallington plays St. Mary. In this annual battle the Gaels have dominated it. While not as long as the Wood-Ridge-Heights annual game, this has seen some nice battles the last couple of years.

In 2007, Wallington only lost by one point, 28-27. The Panthers might get a banged-up St. Mary's team that is coming off playing Paterson Catholic in the Non-Public Group 1 state sectional final. Both teams made the state playoffs. The Panthers lost in the first round of the Group 1, North 1 state playoffs to Mountain Lakes. Wallington is led by a nice little package of quarterback Charlie Vellis and running back Criss Sullivan along with wide receiver Jay Pacheco. Wallington must stop the St. Mary running back duo of Quadree Hubbard and Kyree Tyson-Jones.

Two Turkey Day games continue longtime tradition

Steve Bakalian and his Wood-Ridge teammates are looking for an upset on Thanksgiving against Hasbrouck Heights.

Thanksgiving day has always been a Hasbrouck Heights vs. Wood-Ridge football game at 10:30 a.m. at the field on Route 17 or at Wood-Ridge High School off of Hackensack Avenue.

Hasbrouck Heights Athletic Director John Tessaro, who has been with the district for almost 40 years, believes that the annual game is at least 60 years old.

The game is just one of two on Thanksgiving in the Community News area (Wallington being the other) as the last couple of decades has seen schools not playing the traditional games because of schedule commitments.

The game has been dominated by the Aviators over the years. Tessaro remembers Wood-Ridge winning a couple of times in the mid-1980s. He added that he expected a very competitive game this season especially since Wood-Ridge has played very well and came close to garnering a state playoff bid. The Blue Devils clinched at least a .500 record this season and are 5-4 heading into the Thanksgiving game at Heights. The Aviators are 8-1 heading into last Friday's playoff game at home against Butler (after press deadline).

Wood-Ridge Athletic Director Tom Valanzolo said his school still wants to play a Thanksgiving game.

"I think it is a great way for former students and players to come back for the game and socialize," he said.

Wood-Ridge has been known for its tradition. The Wood-Ridge holiday basketball tournament, now the Herb Cohen Tournament, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this season with Wallington, Lodi, Saddle Brook and Wood-Ridge boys basketball teams playing.

While not having the history of Hasbrouck Heights and Wood-Ridge, the Wallington vs. St. Mary game on Thanksgiving has become a very entertaining and competitive contest the last few years as the Panthers program has improved. St. Mary head football coach Michael Sheridan in the last few years has called for the game to end because it has become more of a hindrance since many times the state finals are a week before the game.

Thanksgiving, 10:30 a.m.

Wood-Ridge at Hasbrouck Heights

This longtime traditional matchup has been the dominated by Heights. The game should be closer than last season's 48-6 victory by the Aviators at Wood-Ridge. The Blue Devils are a much improved team from last season's winless squad.

Wood-Ridge has some nice playmakers in running back Steve Bakalian and quarterback Tom Lacey. In addition, the Blue Devils have had a couple of weeks to prepare for Heights. The Aviators played Butler last Friday and might be prepping for a sectional title. Heights though has rebounded from a tough loss to Emerson in the last regular season game and might be on a roll. Aviators' running back John Cambridge leads the team's offensive attack. On defense Heights is led by junior Rocco Mangieri.

Wallington at St. Mary, Tryon Field

This might be the year that Wallington plays St. Mary. In this annual battle the Gaels have dominated it. While not as long as the Wood-Ridge-Heights annual game, this has seen some nice battles the last couple of years.

In 2007, Wallington only lost by one point, 28-27. The Panthers might get a banged-up St. Mary's team that is coming off playing Paterson Catholic in the Non-Public Group 1 state sectional final. Both teams made the state playoffs. The Panthers lost in the first round of the Group 1, North 1 state playoffs to Mountain Lakes. Wallington is led by a nice little package of quarterback Charlie Vellis and running back Criss Sullivan along with wide receiver Jay Pacheco. Wallington must stop the St. Mary running back duo of Quadree Hubbard and Kyree Tyson-Jones.